Swamp Thing Cancelled After Only Single Episode

BY Joshua M. Patton June 7, 2019June 7, 2019

DC Universe reportedly pulls the (drain)plug on the new, critically
acclaimed horror series on the streaming service. As we discussed in
our review, the worst fears in this scary show were that “Swamp Thing cancelled”
would be the next headline about the series. It appears that DCU’s decision to
shorten the episode order was a harbinger of a greater lack of faith in the
series. Yet, it’s also possible that something as simple as an accounting error
may have played a significant role in the fate of the show. This also leads to
larger questions about the long-term viability of the DC Universe streaming
platform, especially with other direct-to-consumer services from Warner Bros.
competing for audiences’ dollars.

DC Universe is not the only streaming service offered by
parent company Warner Media. HBO Now and Cinemax’s standalone services are also
available, at $15 and $10 per month respectively. Expected to launch later this
year, however, is a Warner Bros. streaming platform that will offer HBO, Cinemax,
and a repository of Warner Bros. films and television shows to choose from. It’s
possible that DC Universe will also get bundled into this service. Still, with
all those different content houses under the same umbrella, the reported
$16-$17 per month cost for WB streaming seems like not enough to sustain them
all.

Swamp Thing Cancelled Over Accounting Error?

This
series is, essentially, an effects-driven rubber-suit monster movie. For projects
like this, studios need to spend money in order to achieve realistic effects
for audiences spoiled by superhero feature films or epic series like Game of
Thrones. A key part of what saw Swamp Thing cancelled are budgetary concerns, specifically
how much money DC would get from North Carolina to film the series there. The
show boasts a
hefty $80-million-plus price tag, though state grants were meant to cover
some of that cost. Reports
suggest that DC Universe expected to get more than the amount they did, which
was about $12
million. It’s also possible that the film
grants will be cut altogether from the state budget next year. It may seem
unlikely that a few million bucks here and there could sink a series with this
budget, but as a poet once said: “Mo’ money, mo’ problems.”

Swamp Thing Cancelled Over Creative Differences?

Despite the money troubles detailed above, entertainment
industry newspaper The
Hollywood Reporter found sources who claim it was more than money that saw
Swamp Thing cancelled. Though unnamed, more than one person with knowledge of
the production described creative differences between executives and storytellers.
All of the live-action shows released so far on the DC Universe streaming
platform have been dark. Yet, it’s possible that the slow-burn horror the
storytellers attempted wasn’t ultimately what the powers-that-be wanted. Of
course, if the response to the series remains positive, those attitudes are
always subject to change. In today’s media environment, “cancelled” doesn’t
always mean “forever.”

#SaveSwampThing

With Swamp Thing cancelled, there are likely no immediate
plans to do anything new with the character. A few fans on Twitter have started
to use the hashtag “#SaveSwampThing” in the hopes that the series will be
rescued by another network. There’s the CW, which rescued Supergirl from
cancellation at CBS, but Swamp Thing’s high budget and adult themes wouldn’t mesh
well with the teen-focused dramas there. Similarly, other streaming services
like Netflix or Prime Video will be direct competitors with WB’s streaming service.
But there remains a glimmer of hope for fans of the mossy behemoth.

If the show continues to garner good reviews and maintains a
faithful following, it’s possible the show could come back in some form. If the
filmmakers are able to find another suitably swampy location to set the show (especially
with generous film grants), Swamp Thing could get another chance. It’s a long
shot, but shows that have consistent streaming “ratings” are always on-the-bubble
for renewal.

What do you think? Share your thoughts, hopes, and reactions
in the comments below. Don’t forget to share the article on social media, so
your friends can get in on the conversation.

Joshua M. Patton is a father, veteran, and writer living in Pittsburgh, PA. The first books he read on his own were comics, and he's loved the medium ever since. He is the greatest star-pilot in the galaxy, a cunning warrior, and a good friend. His book "What I Learned: Stories, Essays, and More" is available in print from Amazon and from all electronic booksellers.

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